He always does. He's ritualistic, so he always does the same things. Also, he could use it in order to ease himself into matches. I hate serving to open matches, I need to get into it first. I'd imagine even pros can feel this way too.

Because you have a higher chance of breaking on the first game of the match then any other time, mainly because the guy usually has to "warm-up" his serve so to speak. There are very few guys that can come out of the gates and just blast a serve like Roddick or Sampras.

Because you have a higher chance of breaking on the first game of the match then any other time, mainly because the guy usually has to "warm-up" his serve so to speak. There are very few guys that can come out of the gates and just blast a serve like Roddick or Sampras.

(I agree with the nerves theory, I've seen Rafa hit 3 or 4 unforced errors in the 1st game and the server wins it to love. And other times I've seen the server get a 40-0 lead and then Rafa come back and get it to deuce and lose the game but it was worthwhile because it got Rafa's 'eye in' before he had to serve. Also, since most players want to serve first, it is good for Rafa to always want to return first because it means if he loses the coin toss then he will still get his favorite result. So he gets good 'predictability' out of it by always knowing he will be returning first)

He always does. He's ritualistic, so he always does the same things. Also, he could use it in order to ease himself into matches. I hate serving to open matches, I need to get into it first. I'd imagine even pros can feel this way too.

What do I know, ask Nadal.

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Agreed on the hating to open matches with serve. I like to get a chance to get a few good swings in and then serve after my opponent has served. Sure more pressure when it comes down to holding, but by that point I'm usually in a rhythm. It is all preference, some people always choose to serve first because they just like serving first.

I almost always choose to serve first because a lot of my matches turn into serve fests where there are only 1 to 3 breaks per set. I'd rather be ahead on the scoreboard even though we may be on serve. It puts a lot of pressure on the other server to hold at 5-4 and 6-5.

A benefit of returning serve that I think I read about in Brad Gilbert's book was that you always serve after a changeover. So you have a chance to catch your breath and regroup before serving. This can be a big benefit when it gets really hot out.

It's psychological. Nadal sees this as a chance to start wearing down his opponent as fast as possible. If Nadal started the match serving, and held serve, it's to be expected in men's tennis that you hold serve, thus his opponent is not as threatened, and is more relaxed on their serve. If you break your opponent's serve the first game, that can throw them off mentally for the rest of the match, because they might try to change their serve, whether it be serving bigger to prevent returns, or spinning serve in more to not risk giving away free points, since you're opponent is getting into the points and you feel you have no margin for error. This can also translate to them trying too much on the return or feeling pressure because they know you can break their serve, and if you take that mental edge, it can easily get you a set (or lose it for you if your opponent has it).

I almost always choose to serve first because a lot of my matches turn into serve fests where there are only 1 to 3 breaks per set. I'd rather be ahead on the scoreboard even though we may be on serve. It puts a lot of pressure on the other server to hold at 5-4 and 6-5.

A benefit of returning serve that I think I read about in Brad Gilbert's book was that you always serve after a changeover. So you have a chance to catch your breath and regroup before serving. This can be a big benefit when it gets really hot out.

Either way, do what works best for you and your game.

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Especially when break point = set point or match point. This is how Roddick lost Wimby 09, right?

Especially when break point = set point or match point. This is how Roddick lost Wimby 09, right?

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Yep, Roddick was constantly serving behind on the scoreboard and finally Fed got his only break of the match for the win. Of course, controlling who serves first in the 5th set is a little more difficult than winning a coin toss.